Despite being banned from competing, Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to attend the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics as neutral individual athletes. Ukraine's Olympic team has been significantly affected by the ongoing war.
Russian and Belarusian athletes will be permitted to attend the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics as neutral individual athletes, according to a statement released by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This decision comes despite the initial ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in Paris due to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The IOC Executive Board emphasized that the athletes would participate under the Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) status, meaning they will not represent their respective countries or display national symbols during the closing ceremony. This decision marks a significant departure from the complete ban imposed on Russian and Belarusian athletes at the opening ceremony.
Russian Athletes to Attend Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony as Neutral Individuals
The ban on Russia and Belarus from competing in Paris stems from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which occurred just four days after the conclusion of the 2022 Winter Olympics. The IOC deemed this attack a violation of the Olympic truce, a resolution that urges all nations to cease hostilities and refrain from conflicts during the Olympic period.
The Russian Olympic Committee's appeal against its suspension was unsuccessful, and Belarus, which provided a staging ground for the invasion, was also barred from participation. However, a total of 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus combined did compete in Paris as neutral individual athletes, with 15 representing Russia and 17 representing Belarus.
Russian Athletes to Attend Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony as Neutral Individuals
Belarusian athletes Ivan Litvinovich and Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first athletes from either nation to win medals in Paris, both in trampoline. Litvinovich secured gold in the men's competition, while Bardzilouskaya earned silver in the women's event. Russian women's tennis players Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva followed suit, becoming the first Russian athletes to win medals in Paris by capturing silver in women's doubles.
Despite the medals won by these athletes, their achievements will not be tallied as a collective group in the overall medals table. The decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to attend the closing ceremony as neutral individuals has been met with mixed reactions.
Russian Athletes to Attend Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony as Neutral Individuals
Ukraine's Olympic team has faced significant challenges due to the Russian invasion, with more than 3,000 athletes and coaches actively fighting in the war and nearly 500 casualties reported. This year's Paris Olympics witnessed the smallest Ukrainian summer Olympic delegation in history, with only 140 athletes participating.
Russia's war against Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, continues to have a profound impact on the global sporting landscape. The IOC's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to attend the Paris Olympics closing ceremony as neutral individuals reflects the complex and challenging circumstances surrounding the ongoing conflict.
